A tribute to my father on Father’s...

a gentleman farmer. He became the president of Pangasinan Farmers Club. He was granted study tours on rural reconstruction in Egypt, the Holy Land, Japan and Taiwan. He regaled his cohorts about his travel experiences which I listened with admiration. I think, I also inherited his love of traveling and it also transcended to my only son, Denver who travels twice a year. As I wrote this piece, my son was in Kalinga, Mountain Province to have a tattoo with Whang-od, a 106-year-old legendary woman.

In fact, when my dad won his first case as defense lawyer, he was paid a six-hectare land in Surip, Bani fronting the West Philippine Sea which he converted into a farm. Every summer we joined him to plant coconuts, mangoes, bananas and other fruit trees. Because we could not consume all the mangoes that we harvested, he asked me to sell them wholesale in Cubao, Quezon City. In 30 minutes the 15 kaings of mangoes were sold out. I believe that I inherited my dad’s love for farming and soil. In my Cerritos, California home, I raised myriad fruit tress and vegetables in my backyard. Not to be outdone, I inherited my mom’s love for flowering plants.

speaking and as motivational speaker. In fact, when my elementary school chose me to participate in a declamation contest, my dad penned my piece and practiced my speech in front of him. However, as a young kid, it was obvious that I was nervous not used to public speaking. I did not win any prize. I was disappointed, of course. From then on, I made it a point to hone my public speaking by being a member of the Ateneo Forensic Society in college and Toastmasters Club in Cerritos – to achieve that confidence.

While I was practicing how to drive our first family vehicle – out of nervousness – I hit our neighbor’s gate in GSIS Village, Quezon City when I saw an incoming DM Bus. The front bumper of our jeep was damaged. When I got home, I was trembling with fear. Out of the blue and knowing my dad’s wrath, I reported to him that I committed a grave mistake. I said, “here’s the bolo, you can kill me for my transgression.” For some reason, he didn’t lift a finger. Perhaps, my reverse psychology theatrics did wonders and saved me.

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I also inherited my dad’s love affair with writing. A lawyer relative who was employed with the Solicitor General’s office commented, “I read the pleadings and briefs of your dad when it came to my desk, “I was impressed, He was thorough and his treatise was well-discerned.”

As a lawyer, he loved to defend the poor and the powerless not expecting to be renumerated by huge lawyer’s professional fees. There were times when he was paid in kind like produce.

When he was the chief of the Prosecution Division of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, one of his siblings challenged him: “If I were in your exalted position, I would have accumulated lots of money.” My dad replied, “Because of that mentality, that’s why you didn’t become a lawyer.”

When we were growing up, our dad had ingrained in our minds that we should not abuse or take advantage of other people or flaunt the status of our parents. He said, “If you commit unlawful crime, I’ll not defend you. I’ll let you rot in jail.”

I also inherited my dad’s natural gift for public

While we were alone reflecting on what the future holds for me as the eldest of seven siblings, he emphasized that I should be a role model and not take advantage of the younger ones. He shared me his wisdom: “Life is like the fate of the bird you are holding now. When you pressed so hard that bird’s body, it might choke and die. If you release it, the bird will fly and seek its freedom and fortune in many ways. He added, “the life and death of that bird depends on you my son. In like manner, your life and future depends on you.”

On his last visit to California while we were alone – with a remorseful voice, he said, “As an eldest, I was hard on you while you were growing up. “I’m sorry,” he lamented. After that emotional moment, we both burst into tears. A few months later, he passed away after a lingering illness of Parkinson’s Disease. Happy Father’s Day dad in heaven.

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * denino1951@gmail.com